Needle and lead and methods of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lead adapted to be steerable during insertion into an animal body, the lead comprising:
- a paddle-shaped structure having a proximate end and a distal end, the structure including a tip portion in the distal end, and a body portion proximal to the tip portion, the tip portion being configured to be manipulable relative to the body portion during insertion of the lead into an animal body such that the lead is moveable in a desired direction, and the tip portion having a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
a manipulating structure at least partially within the tip portion configured to manipulate one of the first and second edge portions of the tip portion relative to the other of the first and second edge portions of the tip, the manipulating structure includes at least one expandable and contractible fluid chamber in at least said tip portion and at least one passage extending through at least the body portion and in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, wherein expansion or contraction of the fluid chamber manipulates the one of the first and second edge portions of the tip portion relative to the other of the first and second edge portions; and
at least one electrode connected with the structure, the at least one electrode being positioned in the body portion.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lead adapted to be steerable during insertion into an animal body includes the following. A structure substantially defining at least one principal planar surface, the structure having a proximate end and a distal end. The structure includes a tip portion on the distal end, and a body portion, with the tip portion being flexible in directions substantially parallel to said at least one principal planar surface. A shape of the tip portion is changeable, and an end of the tip portion traces a path within a plane substantially parallel with the at least one principal planar surface. At least one electrode is connected with said structure.
56 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A lead adapted to be steerable during insertion into an animal body, the lead comprising:
- a paddle-shaped structure having a proximate end and a distal end, the structure including a tip portion in the distal end, and a body portion proximal to the tip portion, the tip portion being configured to be manipulable relative to the body portion during insertion of the lead into an animal body such that the lead is moveable in a desired direction, and the tip portion having a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
a manipulating structure at least partially within the tip portion configured to manipulate one of the first and second edge portions of the tip portion relative to the other of the first and second edge portions of the tip, the manipulating structure includes at least one expandable and contractible fluid chamber in at least said tip portion and at least one passage extending through at least the body portion and in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, wherein expansion or contraction of the fluid chamber manipulates the one of the first and second edge portions of the tip portion relative to the other of the first and second edge portions; and
at least one electrode connected with the structure, the at least one electrode being positioned in the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 11, 12, 13)
- a paddle-shaped structure having a proximate end and a distal end, the structure including a tip portion in the distal end, and a body portion proximal to the tip portion, the tip portion being configured to be manipulable relative to the body portion during insertion of the lead into an animal body such that the lead is moveable in a desired direction, and the tip portion having a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
-
3. A lead adapted to be steerable during insertion into a spinal column of an animal body, the lead comprising:
-
a paddle shaped structure having a proximate end, a central longitudinal axis, and a distal end, the structure including a tip portion formed in the distal end, and a body portion proximal to the tip portion, the tip portion being configured to be manipulable relative to the body portion, and having a first edge portion and a second edge portion; at least two fluid chambers in the tip portion; at least two passages extending through the body portion, each of the at least two passages being in fluid communication with a respective at least one of the two fluid chambers, each fluid chamber configured upon inflation or deflation to manipulate one of the first and second edge portions of the tip portion relative to the other of the first and second edge portions, whereby inflating or deflating at least one of the fluid chambers changes the shape of the tip portion only in a direction within a horizontal plane extending through the center of the lead and parallel to the central longitudinal axis; and at least one electrode connected with the structure.
-
-
5. A lead adapted to be steerable during insertion into an animal body, the lead comprising:
- a paddle-shaped structure having a proximate end, and a distal end, the structure including a tip portion in the distal end, and a body portion proximal to the tip portion, the tip portion being configured to be manipulable relative to the body portion during insertion into an animal body such that the lead is moveable in a desired direction, the tip portion having a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
at least one fluid chamber in at least the tip portion, and at least one passage extending through the body portion, and the passage being in fluid communication with the at least one fluid chamber wherein the volume of fluid within the at least one chamber can be changed to inflate or deflate the at least one fluid chamber, the at least one fluid chamber is configured upon inflation or deflation for controlled manipulation of one of the first and second edge portions relative to the other of the first and second edge portions; and
at least one electrode connected with the structure, the at least one electrode being positioned in the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a paddle-shaped structure having a proximate end, and a distal end, the structure including a tip portion in the distal end, and a body portion proximal to the tip portion, the tip portion being configured to be manipulable relative to the body portion during insertion into an animal body such that the lead is moveable in a desired direction, the tip portion having a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
Specification